Takumi Saito plays Shinpei, the older brother of Teppei (Kamiki), in the TBS Sunday Theatre drama "Diamond Sleeping in the Sea" (Sundays at 9pm) starring Ryunosuke Kamiki. In episode 7, Shinpei tries to retreat from the mine after it has been decided to submerge it and abandon it, but he inhales carbon monoxide and collapses. We spoke to Saito about how he prepared for the role of a coal miner and some behind-the-scenes stories from filming.
The drama is a story of love, friendship and family spanning 70 years, set on the island of Hashima (Gunkanjima) in Nagasaki Prefecture, which developed through coal mining from the beginning of the Meiji era to the postwar high economic growth period, and in modern-day Tokyo. It is written by Akiko Nogi, directed by Ayuko Tsukahara, and produced by Junko Arai, the team behind the dramas "Unnatural" and "MIU404" (same series) and the movie "The Last Mile."
◇How did you prepare for the role of a coal miner who was close to death?
--Episode 7 saw an unexpected turn of events.
I don't think that will happen in Los Angeles, but I wonder what's going on (laughs). Speaking of which, after the first episode aired, there was a prophet who predicted the episode number, saying, "Shinpei is likely to die around episode 7." I felt a little frustrated that he was so accurate, but maybe that just shows how well he knows Akiko Nogi's scripts!
--How did you prepare for the role of a coal miner who lives side by side with danger?
There was a DVD about the history of coal mining on the set, so I watched it several times. It was so good that I recommended it to the other miners in the cast. It not only showed the situation when the coal mining was active, but also the reality of being close to death. In another overseas documentary, the miners who entered the vicinity were shown leaving wills and signing documents...
--It was a job that required a lot of determination.
It was a coincidence that Shinpei died in the coal mine, but I thought it would be good to play the role of a coal miner with the intention of paying tribute to the souls of those people who died in the mine.
As a viewer, it is painful to think that the Araki family, who have already lost many people, such as their eldest son who went to war and their sisters who were evacuated to Fukuoka, will now lose Shinpei. In particular, when I think about the feelings of his mother, Haru-san (Nakajima Tomoko), I am filled with emotions that are beyond words.
◇Final farewell to Rina: "I really wanted to call her 'Araki Rina'"
--You lost Lina at the height of your happiness after your child was born, but what was the most memorable thing about filming?
I don't know if it was actually used, but in the scene where it was my final farewell with Rina, I really wanted to call her "Araki Rina" instead of "Rina" as Shinpei. When I consulted with Director Ayuko Tsukahara, she said "That might be good," so I tried it just for the actual shoot. I thought that the surname "Araki" might have been the last thing that Shinpei could give to Rina.
--The grief of Lina, who has lost a loved one again, is immeasurable...
That's right... But there is more to Shinpei's legacy than just regretting his death. Shinpei's greatest role may have been to play a part in the connection of life with Makoto's birth. Although he has thoughts like "I wanted to live more with Lina" and "I wanted to watch over Makoto's growth," as the person who played Shinpei, he also feels that it's not all negative that there are so many people watching over Lina and Makoto, including the Araki family.
- Considering the developments, what did Nogi-san say to you?
When I first met Nogi-san, the first thing he said was, "I want you to die" (laughs). He spoke in a tone similar to Shaku Yumiko's "Go away" (the catchphrase of the main character in the drama "Sky High"). However, death is not depicted as a way to add flavor to the story, but I think the essence of Nogi's scripts lies in the fact that they confront the people who died in the war and the horror of the atomic bomb.
◇ What is the ideal teamwork for Takumi Saito, who is also active as a director?
--You are also active as a director, but from a fellow creator's perspective, what do you think of the production team behind this film?
Director Tsukahara writes a letter to the actors before the show airs, and his sincere approach is inspiring. He is truly a model director. I think this filming location could be a template. On any set, you are bound to be pressured by ratings and schedules, but if you work on it for a long time, your concentration can also become distracted. However, we have been filming this series for almost half a year now, and it is a wonderful environment that maintains a good level of tension and energy circulation. From any angle, as creators and actors, it is an ideal team.
--Was there anything in Director Tsukahara's letter that made a lasting impression on you?
In the fourth episode, Shinpei gives Rina a melon, implying that he will be back on Hashima next year, and in the letter he writes, "The smile on your face when you look back at that moment is the key to Shinpei's performance this time." In addition, he writes, "Thank you for creating a part that wasn't in the script." He always writes me letters of thanks, and while I know it's my fault for doing it, the joy I feel from those letters gives me energy during filming. That said, he doesn't write them to motivate the actors, and I can see that they are his honest feelings. I think that's why everyone's motivation never drops.
--Finally, please tell us what we should look forward to until the final episode.
Towards the end, Shinpei comes back to life! (laughs). It's going to be an action zombie movie... I'm just kidding, it's going to be a bit different from the previous ones. Shinpei has passed away, but his presence is always there, and that is depicted very carefully. Shinpei's filming will end earlier than the others, but this may be the first time I haven't felt so lonely. Usually I'm more detached from the work and look at it objectively, but this time I feel like my soul is still on the same ship. I want to watch over the feelings entrusted to the surviving people and cheer them on from the same ship so that they can safely reach the final episode.
